Marine deputies awarded for life-saving, rookie of the year

The Oregon State Marine Board recently recognized a Jackson County marine deputy for saving someone's life on the Rogue River and tapped another local deputy as the Marine Program's Rookie of the Year.

The Oregon State Marine Board recently recognized a Jackson County marine deputy for saving someone's life on the Rogue River and tapped another local deputy as the Marine Program's Rookie of the Year.

Deputy Scott Waldon earned the life-saving award for rescuing an elderly rafter after she fell off a raft in the Rogue on Aug. 13. Waldon found the woman clinging to a snag that was floating downriver and managed to get her to shore safely.

Deputy Jeff McGrath had what Marty Law, the Marine Board's boating safety program manager, called an "exemplary" first year in the program.

McGrath earned the Rookie of the Year award for conducting 165 boat examinations, issuing nine citations and 55 warnings, conducting four hull inspections and arresting seven people for boating under the influence of intoxicants.

The awards were presented during the annual Marine Law Enforcement Conference held Oct. 19 in Bend.

The Medford Ski Education Foundation will hold its annual Ski and Snowboard Swap tonight through Sunday in the multipurpose room at St. Mary's School, 816 Black Oak Dr., Medford.

An early-bird sale takes place from 8 to 10 p.m. today. The Saturday sale will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A closeout sale will be featured Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with all merchandise on the floor discounted up to 50 percent.